Verse of the day: Joshua 8:1 Now the LORD said to Joshua: “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.
When we stop and consider what had just taken place relative to Israel’s defeat at Ai, this first verse in chapter 8 is extremely encouraging. The sin committed by Achan that brought about Israel’s defeat, and Joshua’s failure to go to the Lord before engaging Ai the first time, is now in the past. The first thing God says to Joshua after the sinful behavior was confessed and corrected was, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed”. In other words, “be of good courage”. The fact of the matter is that we all fail at some point in our walk with the Lord. We stumble, we fall, but we have a God who does not forsake us or discard us simply because we have made a wrong choice (whether intentional or not). We can thank the righteousness, and Blood, of Jesus for our standing before our Heavenly Father, for it is in Christ that we have such forgiveness. Far too often, we allow Satan to beat us up with the guilt of our past, when in fact, we should be looking to Jesus for the encouragement that He offers when we repent, confess, and get right with Him, after we stumble (1 John 1:8-2:1). We cannot give up simply because we experience moments of defeat. In war, there are battles we win, and battles we lose. The most important thing to remember is that in Christ, in the end, we win. Revelation 20:10 tells us how it will end for the enemy that opposes us now, “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Nonetheless, while we are still here, we are going to face those moments when we do not do so well in our walk. We will have moments of weakness when we will give in to our temptations. James 1:14-15 tells us, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” 1 John 2:16 reminds us that temptation will come from the world, the flesh, and the devil, “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” 1 Peter 5:8:9 warns that our enemy want to devour us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” We can resist him by drawing near to God. When we do, God will draw near to us, and the enemy will flee. James 4:7-10 clearly tells us, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” So, when we fail and stumble, when we give in during a weak moment in our lives, and we are convicted by the Holy Spirit to repent and confess, let us do so, but continue to move forward. Like Joshua, we must allow the Lord to remind us, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed”. Let us be like the Apostle Paul who always strove to move forward, forgetting that which was behind. The Apostle wrote this in Philippians 3:12-14, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” The devil wants us to live in our past and present failures. This is not the place for us, as God’s children to dwell. Instead, let us remember who Christ is in our lives, and remember the fact that in Christ we have already overcome. Jesus already told us in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:37 promises, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Whatever defeat we have experienced, or are experiencing, know that God has not forsaken us. Let us do all we can to avoid stumbling, but if we do, like Joshua and the Israelites, let us put the past in the past, repent and confess anything that we need to in the present, and move forward with Christ to future victories!
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
No comments:
Post a Comment